The Moscow Rules

The Secret CIA Tactics That Helped America Win the Cold War

By: Jonna Mendez, Antonio J. J. Mendez

Narrated by: Wilson Bethel

From the spymaster and inspiration for the movie Argo, discover the "real-life spy thriller" of the brilliant but under-supported CIA operatives who developed breakthrough spy tactics that helped turn the tide of the Cold War (Malcolm Nance).

Antonio Mendez and his future wife, Jonna, were CIA operatives working to spy on Moscow in the late 1970s, at one of the most dangerous moments in the Cold War. Soviets kept files on all foreigners, studied their patterns, and tapped their phones. Intelligence work was effectively impossible. The Soviet threat loomed larger than ever.

The Moscow Rules tells the story of the intelligence breakthroughs that turned the odds in America's favor. As experts in disguise, Antonio and Jonna were instrumental in developing a series of tactics - Hollywood-inspired identity swaps, ingenious evasion techniques, and an armory of James Bond-style gadgets - that allowed CIA officers to outmaneuver the KGB.

As Russia again rises in opposition to America, this remarkable story is a tribute to those who risked everything for their country and to the ingenuity that allowed them to succeed.

©2019 Antonio J. Mendez, Jonna Mendez (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Intriguing true stories of the techniques of CIA spying on the dangerous front line of the Cold War." (Dame Stella Rimington, former director of MI5)

"A gripping read. Thanks to Tony Mendez's extraordinary talent, the CIA was able to elude KGB surveillance to carry out high-risk, high-payoff operations with impunity - until tripped up by traitors within our own ranks. It's all in this book - the good, the bad, and the ugly, unflinchingly revealed. Tony and his wife and coauthor, Jonna, were two of the stars from the Office of Technical Service, CIA's version of James Bond's 'Q,' and key to so many of the agency's successes - and nowhere more so than in Moscow during the Cold War." (Jack Downing, former chief of station, Moscow, and the CIA's former deputy director for operations)

"A gripping, interesting and relevant read...reads like a spy novel yet tells a true tale of the darkest days of the espionage war largely fought between the CIA and the KGB." (Cipher Brief)

Wonderful

The Moscow rules is a wonderful book with a depth of technical detail that we don’t always get in historic reviews of intelligence community tradecraft. Highly recommend.

A Great Story, if a Bit Disorganized

A great story, if a bit disorganized. Definitely worth the read, as it provides interesting insight into the history of the Cold War

excellent review of espionage

a really excellent review of some of the techniques used by the CIA in their battle with a KGB. I am really surprised some of this was put out on a book since the CIA is notorious for their secrecy and their unwillingness to share any techniques even how old they are. In my dealings with them they will live. Very well to that term spooks

Great history of cold war spycraft

Riveting stories and fascinating techniques in a theater more challenging than any other, just wish it was longer, it's that entertaining.

Great Cold War CIA Historical account

If you enjoyed Billion Dollar Spy and other Cold War era intelligence type novels. You will definitely enjoy this. Very engaging and interesting with enough new information to hold your interest even if you find yourself saying “I’ve heard about this situation or device before”


Spoiler Alert

There is a part in the story where a Caucasian agent uses identity transfer to appear as an African American embassy worker in order to elude surveillance. I felt like a joke to the effect of “now that’s what I call going black” would have worked really well. But I do understand it’s not that kind of novel.

Truly an amazing insight into the CIA

Tony and Jonna Mendez give an insight to their work and others that is down right astonishing. The tactics and disguises that they developed over the years and employed with the Moscow rules were really brought out in this book. I also really enjoyed how they broke down incidents along with their agents. I could go onto a list of countless billet points on this book.

amazing detail into an interesting era of America

the detail and stories bring to live the passions and adventures of true American Patriots.

Excellent!

I've been on a "CIA story" kick ever since some podcast piqued my interest. I'm enjoying learning more about the history of this not-so-well-understand agency. The "arms race" between the CIA and KGB was also fascinating.

Informative

Having a degree in Intel., I understood every aspect of this book and how it applies to intel the community. One of the most accurate books youll find about intel without giving away operstional secrets.

Great Story

Very interesting stories. However it was a little weird to hear the voice of a young man read from the perspective author(s) that are both in their 70s. That’s my only complaint.